Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Climate change: A challenge for India

India is a developing country with
a population of more than 1.2 billion which is growing at rate of approximately
2.4% per annum. Nearly 69% of total population is rural and nearly 60% of total
population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. More than 60% of the
total agriculture is rain dependent and monsoons are responsible for most of
the rains in India.
India has HimalayanMountains,
deserts and arid areas, flood prone regions and a long coastline of more than
5500 km. Thus the country has to address various climate issues in different
zones.

With an economy that is growing
at 6-8% and increase urbanization, the demand for electricity is going to
increase many folds. Presently 59% of total electricity is produced by burning
coal. Burning of coal is largest contributor for carbon dioxide emissions in
the country. Hydel power just account for 17% of total electricity generation.
Any shortfall in the power supply is met by diesel generator sets which further
add to carbon dioxide emissions. Transportation is second largest source of
green house gases (GHG) emission. With increased urbanization, transportation is
going to pose a major challenge. It is estimated that by year 2020,
transportation will be responsible for 1450-1620 million tonnes of carbondioxide equivalent emissions. Burning of
biomass, agricultural waste, tilling of land, methane emissions from livestock
are the other major sources of GHG emission in the country.

These emissions have resulted in
shift in observed climate pattern. Climate has been warming and there is
decline in monsoon rainfalls. Frequency of heavy rainfall events have increased
and these are often followed by long dry spells resulting into water stress. All
this has led to over exploitation of ground water further aggravating the
situation. Agricultural productivity has been affected due to increased surface
temperature and water stress. Wheat production has taken a major hit.
Productivity of rice and horticulture produce has also been hit due to change
in climate. The zone of temperate horticulture has also shifted to higher
altitudes. In 1987 and 2002-03, droughts affected almost half of the country
resulting into huge fall in crop production. This has led to decrease in food
security and increase in food inflation which is leading to increased
malnutrition cases. Forest cover, which is an
important source for carbon sequestering, is decreasing. According to India state of
forest report 2011, 21.05% of total land is under forest and we have lost 367
square kilometers of forest in last two years. On the other hand warming has been
causing retreating of glaciers. Coastal flooding in cities like Mumbai has also
become a regular phenomenon. Rapid and unplanned urbanization has further
increased the risk of sea water intrusion. It seems as if we are sitting on a
bomb.

Government of India has
realized the importance of assessing and addressing climate change. Indian
Network of Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) comprising of more than 120
research institutions was set up in 2010 to carry out scientific studies.
States have prepared state action plans for climate change. Policies have been
frames to make India
a low carbon economy. National Action Plan on Climate change has been created
which includes 8 sub-missions which are as follows:

1.National Solar Mission

2.National Mission
for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

3.National Mission
on sustainable Habitat

4.National Water Mission

5.National Mission
for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem

6.National Mission for
Green India

7.National Mission
for Sustainable Agriculture

8.National Mission
on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

India has also created a clean
technology fund that is being used to bringing cleaner low carbon technologies
and reducing carbon emissions. More and more investment is being done in urban areas
for improving transportation facilities. Metro and bus rapid transport
corridors are few of the measures that may be seen on the ground. Emission
standards for motor vehicles have been introduced. More and more standards for
controlling industrial wastes have been introduced. In case of Agriculture,
more and more stress is being laid on diversification and introduction of
climate resistant crops. Indo-swizz collaboration on biotechnology is one such
platform which is working on introduction of climate resistant technologies in
the agricultural field. Solar power is being promoted by giving subsidies on
solar products. Standards for electrical efficiency have been introduced. Most
of these developments have been quite new and their impacts will be realized after
a considerable time only.

Government is doing whatever it
can do to address this problem. There is greater need to educate masses about
this threat and seek their contribution for adaptation as well as mitigation
measures. As is clear from discussion that production of electricity from coal
is biggest contributor to carbon emissions in India, so saving electricity and
using it efficiently may result in lower emission. Small steps like switch off
light when it is not required may result in bigger impact at national level.
People should invest in energy efficient appliances. Using public transport
rather than private vehicle will also help in lowering emissions besides saving
foreign exchange on oil imports. Smaller distance should be covered by bicycles
or by walking. Planting of trees, judicial use of paper and water and rain
water harvesting can have significant positive impact on our climate.

Let us inculcate these habits in
our day to day life so that we could promise a better future for younger
generation.

REFERENCES:

The World Bank, 2012, Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4 degree C warmer world must be avoided